Hays Street Bridge, Historic road bridge in San Antonio, US
The Hays Street Bridge is a historic road crossing in San Antonio that carries traffic across Union Pacific Railroad tracks using two wrought iron spans. The longer span stretches about 225 feet and employs a Phoenix-Whipple design, while the shorter measures roughly 130 feet and uses a Pratt truss configuration.
The bridge was built in 1881 by the Phoenix Bridge Company and was originally designed to cross the Nueces River. It was moved to its current location in 1910 to span the railroad tracks.
The structure represents early Texas engineering methods through its Phoenix columns and wrought iron construction, which remain scarce across the state.
You can cross the bridge on foot or by car as it remains an active traffic connection between North Cherry and Chestnut Streets. The best time to explore is outside rush hours so you can view the structure without heavy traffic.
The bridge underwent major rehabilitation in 2010 that combined contemporary engineering techniques with methods to preserve its original character. This makes it a rare example where historical details were retained without compromising structural stability.
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